The teenager was attacked while walking between the East Ayrshire town's West Park Avenue and West Park Farm sometime between 22:00 and midnight on Friday.

She was approached from behind by a man and pulled to the ground before being subjected to a serious sexual assault.

Police want to speak to anyone who may have seen the woman in the area, or seen a man, who was wearing dark clothing, acting suspiciously.

Victim 'traumatised'

Det Insp Scott McClelland, of Police Scotland, said: "The young woman has been left traumatised by this assault and it is imperative that we trace the man responsible.

"At this time officers are working to narrow down the timescale of when the assault took place, therefore, I would urge anyone who may have seen this young girl in the area, or indeed may have seen a man wearing dark coloured clothing acting suspiciously.

"The victim was wearing black leggings and a blue top with a black jacket and boots. She would have been in a distressed state following the attack, and I would ask anyone who saw anyone matching that description late on Friday night into Saturday morning to come forward."

Det Insp McClelland added: "This type of incident is rare, however, I want to reassure the local community in New Cumnock that extensive enquiries are ongoing to trace the man responsible and there have been extra police patrols deployed to the area to provide public reassurance."